50 deaths that have rocked the music world in 2025

We are nearly a quarter of the way through 2025, and the year seems to be flying by.

But, as we turn the page and push ahead, it should be noted that it has already been a year of great loss for the music world and its fans.

More than 50 performers or influential figures have already died. The following is a look back at some of those who we have lost already;

COUNTRY

EDDIE ADCOCK

Eddie Adcock’s name might not be the first that comes to mind when it comes to country music legends, but he was a legend in his own right.

Don’t believe it? Just Google him. You can find stories calling him a “legend,” and a “master” and there are plenty of other adjectives thrown in along the way, too.

Sadly, Adcock has died. He was 86.

BlueGrassToday.com called him a “five string banjo master,” while noting that he has been “suffering from multiple health issues over recent years.”

Adcock was a native of Virginia, who began performing all the way back in 1949. He joined Smokey Graves 7 His Blue Star Boys in 1953, and he played with a handful of different bands. He may be best known, though, for his time playing in The Country Gentleman. In 1996, that group became the first inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Association Hall of Fame.

“Eddie was a truly innovative artists and musician with a one-of-a-kind voice on the banjo - & any instrument he picked up,” The Blue Grass Situation posted on X.

ED ASKEW

Ed Askew, a cult folk music singer/songwriter and painter, died on Jan. 4.

He was 84.

PEOPLE Magazine reported that Askew had been battling “ongoing health struggles” and had been in hospice.

“Ed was a brave gay songwriter from the beginning, and I hope more come to know this,” Jay Pluck, Askew’s manager and friend, told PEOPLE. “Ed’s music changed the lives of people from many generations and continues to do so.”

Askew was a native of Stamford, Connecticut, and according to PEOPLE he studied paining at Yale Art School. The site said Askew was called up for the draft in 1966 but ended up teaching at a prep school in Connecticut instead. It said that is when he began writing his songs.

PEOPLE said Askew released 11 albums during his career. His first album “Ask The Unicorn” came in 1968 and his final, “London” came in 2020. PEOPLE said he also “had a prolific painting career.”

CARL DEAN

Country music legend Dolly Parton announced the heartbreaking news Monday night that her husband, Carl Dean, has died.

A posted statement to her X page, said that Dean, who was 82, died in Nashville.

“He will be laid to rest in a private ceremony with immediate family attending,” the statement read. “He was survived by his siblings Sandra and Donnie.”

Parton provided a quote in the statement.

“Carl and I spent many wonderful years together,” she said. “Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy.”

The statement said the family asks for privacy during this time.

Parton and Dean were known for keeping their relationship out of the public eye, and they did so on purpose.

“I married a really good man, a guy that’s completely different than me,” Parton told Parade Magazine in 2015. “He’s not in show business.”

Parade reported that the duo first met at a laundromat in Nashville when Parton was just 18-years-old.

“I was surprised and delighted that while he talked to me, he looked at my face (a rare thing for me),” she wrote on her website, per Parade. “He seemed to be genuinely interested in finding out who I was and what I was about.”

Parade said the two “snuck off one weekend” about two years later to get married.

They renewed their vows in 2015.

“We just had a simple little ceremony at our chapel at our place,” she told Rolling Stone.

MELBA MONTGOMERY

Country music legend Melba Montgomery has died, according to Taste of Country.

The site reported that Montgomery died on Jan. 15.

She was 86.

Her daughter, Melissa Solomon Barrett, posted about her death on Facebook, too.

“It is with great sadness that we announce our family has lost our mother, Melba Montgomery Solomon,” she wrote. “She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, sister to my uncle, sister-in-law to my aunts and aunt to my cousins. She fought a long battle with dementia but is now with her loving husband, Jack Solomon in Heaven. We know mom has been waiting to hold dad for over 10 years.

“Thank you for loving our mom as much as we have,” she added. “She was an incredibly talented, kind and generous woman.”

Taste of Country noted that Montgomery was known for her duets with the likes of George Jones and her No. 1 hit, “No Charge,” which came in 1974.

Montgomery was born in Tennessee in 1938, and she got her career going in 1958. She had 22 solo studio albums, and was inducted into Nashville’s Walkway of the Stars in 1974.

George Jones’ daughter, Georgette, remembered Montgomery with a post on Facebook.

“Very sad news as yesterday the legendary Melba Montgomery passed away at age 86,” she wrote. “Melba recorded with my Dad many songs including ‘We Must Have Been Out Of Our Minds.” She was an incredible singer and songwriter as well as a very sweet and wonderful person. Please join me in praying for her family and friends.”

CHAD MORGAN

Australian country music star Chad Morgan died on Jan. 1.

He was 91.

Morgan was called “The Sheik of Scrubby Creek.” Known for his vaudeville style, he was considered a pioneer of country music in his country.

Popculture.com said Morgan released more than 20 albums across a 70-year career.

BUCK WHITE

Country music legend Buck White died this week

He was 94.

The news of his death was relayed from his four daughters by another country music legend, Ricky Skaggs, on his Facebook page.

“The Lord answered our prayers and took our daddy, Buck White, home peacefully this morning at 8:00 a.m.,” the message from the daughters — Sharon, Cheryl, Rosie and Melissa — read. “We are so thankful for his 94 years on this earth. He was a great dad who taught us by example to put Jesus first always. His great loves were the Lord, our mother, his family, and music. Most people will remember him not only for being a great musician and entertainer, but also for being fun-loving and full of mischief. He lived a full life and finished well.

White, along with his daughters Sharon and Cheryl, formed the Grammy Award-winning trio The Whites. Per Taste of Country, the group had several top 10 and Top 20 singles in the 1980s. The Whites were inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 1984, and in 2008 they were inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame.

According to Taste of Country, the group was nominated for five Grammys and won two.

The Grand Ole Opry posted about White’s death on X.

RAP

IRV GOTTI

Famed record producer Irv Gotti died on Feb. 5.

He was 54.

Gotti reportedly suffered a stroke.

Gotti co-founded the legendary Murder Inc. Records in 1998 and was credited with helping get the likes of Jay-Z, DMX, Ja Rule and Ashanti going in the business.

DJ UNK

Atlanta rapper DJ Unk, best known for his hit song “Walk It Out,” died on Jan. 24.

He was 42.

Unk’s real name was Anthony Leonard Platt, and his wife, Sherkita Long-Platt, posted about his death on Facebook on Friday.

“Please respect me and my family,” she wrote. “I just lost my husband and my kids just lost their father. Our life will never be the same. I LOVE YOU ANTHONY FOREVER.”

Unk began performing in the Atlanta area in 1998, and in 2006 he released the album “Beat’n Down Yo Block!” That featured the hit “Walk It Out,” which hit the Billboard Hot 100 top 10.

He released a second album, titled “2econd Season,” in 2008 and also has a handful of mixtapes.

R&B

RANDY BROWN

Randy Brown joined sadly joined the long list of those who died on March 5, according to multiple reports.

He was 72.

Brown may not have enjoyed the commercial success that some of the other legendary R&B performers who have died this year did, but he was a popular singer in the 1970s and 1980s.

SoulTracks.com reported Brown’s death, and wrote that “for those who love their smooth, sensual, and stepped in Southern tradition, Randy Brown was a name worth knowing.”

The site said Brown got started with the group The Newcomers, but made his biggest mark as a solo act. The site said he began his solo career in 1978 and “quickly became a favorite among quiet storm enthusiasts.”

SoulTracks noted that Brown had “slow-burning hits” such as “I’m Always in the Mood,” and “I Wanna Make Love To You.”

It noted that he was known for his “rich, expressive tenor and heartfelt delivery.”

JERRY BUTLER

Jerry Butler, a legendary soul singer with the Impressions, died on Feb. 20.

He was 85.

He had reportedly been battling Parkinson’s disease.

Butler, who was known as the “Iceman,” was a founding member of the Impressions and a baritone singer/songwriter, according to USA Today.

The site said that Butler was known for such hits as “For Your Precious Love” and “Only The Strong Survive.”

The Impressions were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991.

Butler left the group in 1960 and had more than 55 Billboard Pop and R&B chart hits. He was inducted into the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame in 2015.

Following his singing career he served as a Commissioner for Cook County, Illinois from 1985-through 2018.

ROBERTA FLACK

Roberta Flack, a legendary singer and Grammy Award Lifetime Achievement Award winner, died on Feb. 24.

She was 88.

It was reported in November of 2022 that Flack was battling ALS and could no longer sing. She also reportedly suffered a stroke in 2016.

Flack had a long list of hits, including No. 1 charting “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” and “Killing Me Softly With His Song.”

GARY GRIER

Gary Grier, a longtime member of the iconic R&B group The Contours, died in February.

The group announced his passing in a post on social media.

“Today, we lost one of our own,” the post on Facebook read. “We are profoundly saddened by the sudden death of Gary Grier. Gary has been a member of The Countours for over three decades. He was an integral part of our group, and he will be sorely missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of Gary’s family and friends.

SoulTracks.com called Grier “a seasoned performer with a commanding stage presence.” He joined The Countours in 1993, and the website said that he “played a vital role in preserving and rejuvenating the legacy of The Contours.”

While Grier was a longtime member of the group, the Contours’ start stretches all the way back to the early 1960s when they had the breakout hit “Do You Love Me,” which hit No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and sold more than a million copies.

TOMMY HUNT

Tommy Hunt, a Pittsburgh native, legendary soul singer and member of the iconic group The Flamingos, has died.

He was 91.

The Flamingos were known for their 1959 cover of the hit “I Only Have Eyes for You.” Their version of the song was ranked 158th on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. The Flamingos were also inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Doo-Wop Hall of Fame in 2001.

Soultrack.com reported that Hunt “spent more than seven decades thrilling audiences on both sides of the Atlantic.”

He was born in 1933 in Pittsburgh, but he and his mother moved to Chicago when he was 10.

Hunt reportedly enlisted in the Air Force, but went AWOL to be with his mother who was dying at the time. He subsequently served time in prison but returned to Chicago upon his release and got his music career off the ground.

Hunt embarked on a solo career in 1961, and Soultracks.com said he became a regular at the Apollo Theater. Hunt also became a star in the United Kingdom during his career.

CHRIS JASPER

R&B legend Chris Jasper died on Feb. 24.

He was 73.

His family announced the news on his Facebook, noting that he was diagnosed in December with cancer.

Jasper was a member of the legendary group The Isley Brothers, and was credited by PEOPLE Magazine with helping shape some of the group’s biggest hits.

SAM MOORE

Legendary soul singer Sam Moore died on Jan. 10, according to multiple reports.

He was 89.

Moore reportedly died from complications while recovering from a surgery.

Moore was best known as one-half of the R&B group Sam & Dave. His partner in that group, Dave Prater, died in 1988.

Together, Sam & Dave had such hits as “Soul Man,” “Hold On, I’m Comin’,” “You Don’t Know Like I know,” “I Thank You,” “When Something Is Wrong with My Baby,” and “Wrap It Up.”

“Soul Man” hit number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1967 and won the duo a Grammy for Best R&B group performance. They were nominated for three more Grammy awards and received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.

“It means more to me than anything in the world,” Moore said at the time. “It means my work — what I’ve done and what I’m going to do in the near future — is not in vain.”

Although the duo had near unparalleled success, they had a tumultuous relationship that led them to a breakup in 1970. Bruce Springsteen was among those memorializing Moore.

“Over on E Street, we are heartbroken to hear of the death of Sam Moore, one of America’s greatest soul voices,” he said on Instagram. “He was filled with stories of the halcyon days of soul music, and to the end had that edge of deep authenticity in his voice I could only wonder at.”

Sam & Dave were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.

GWEN MCRAE

Gwen McCrae, the popular singer who rose to popularity in the mid-1970s, died on Feb. 21.

She was 81. No cause of death was reported.

Soultracks.com was the first to report McCrae’s passing. The Florida native was best known for her 1975 hit, “Rockin’ Chair,” but the site noted that she “recorded regularly for decades and amassed a loyal following in both the US and Europe for her dance-oriented material and her expressive vocals.”

McCrae was credited with releasing 14 albums during her long career which stretched from 1969-through-2012.

She reportedly suffered a stroke in 2012 that left her unable to walk.

ANGIE STONE

Grammy-nominated R&B singer Angie Stone was killed early Saturday morning in a car crash, according to multiple reports.

She was 63.

Music producer Walter Millsap III told The Associated Press that at about 4 a.m. the cargo van that Stone was riding in back to Atlanta from Alabama “flipped over and was subsequently hit by a big rig.”

The Associated Press said that everyone else in the vehicle survived.

It said that Stone was slated to sing during the halftime show of Saturday’s Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association men’s championship basketball game.

Her death sent shockwaves across the R&B community and with fans on social media.

Stone was a native of Columbia, South Carolina where she began singing in the church. Her professional career began in 1979.

The Associated Press said that Stone “found a sweet spot in the early 2000s” alongside the likes of Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Maxwell and D’Angelo during the rise of neo-soul.

D’WAYNE WIGGINS

D’Wayne Wiggins, a founding member of the iconic R&B group Tony! Toni! Toné!, died March 7.

He was 64.

USA Today reported that Wiggins had been battling bladder cancer.

“With broken hearts, we share with you that our beloved D’Wayne passed away this morning surrounded by family and loved ones,” a statement on the group’s Facebook page wrote. “Over the past year, he has been privately and courageously battling bladder cancer. Through this fight, he remained committed and present for his family, his music, his fans and his community.

“D’Wayne’s life was incomparable, and his music and service impacted millions around the world, including in his hometown of Oakland, California,” the statement continued. “He was a guitarist, producer, composer, philanthropist, mentor and founding member of Tony! Toni! Tone! He was deeply passionate about providing artist development and mentorship to emerging young musicians, helping to shape the early careers of many.

“For now, we ask that you continue to respect our privacy. We mourn with you and are deeply grateful for your love and support.”

A Grammy-nominated singer and guitarist, Wiggins was a founding member of

Tony! Toni! Tone! in 1986. The group was one of the most popular and influential through the 1980s and mid-1990s, releasing four albums.

Tony! Toni! Tone! had a reunion tour in 2023.

BRENTON WOOD

Legendary soul singer Brenton Wood died on Jan. 3.

He was 83.

His manager, Manny Gallegos, told Variety that he died from natural causes and was surrounded by family at home.

Per Variety, Gallegos said Wood had a final message for fans: “Catch you on the rebound.”

That, the site said, was a reference to his 1967 song.

Wood, whose real name is Alfred Jesse Smith, was born in Shreveport, Louisiana in 1941.

He is perhaps best known for his 1967 hit “The Oogum Boogum Song,” which rose to No. 19 on the Billboard R&B charts. Variety noted that the song “found new audiences” throughout the years as it was used in films and TV shows including “Almost Famous,” and “The Umbrella Academy.”

Another of his 1967 songs, “Gimme Little Sing,” hit No. 9 on the pop charts.

Variety reported that Wood launched a farewell tour called “Catch You on the Rebound: The Last Tour,” recently but that was paused when he had to be hospitalized.

ROCK

FRED BEKKY

You might not know Fred Bekky’s name, but there are parts of the world where it is known well because there was a time he served as the frontman for a group compared to none other than “The Beatles.”

Bekky died on Feb. 21, according to multiple reports, due to complications from pneumonia. He was 81.

Bekky was one the frontman for “The Pebbles,” who were also called “The Belgian Beatles.”

The group was best known for its hit, “Seven Horses in the Sky.” The band formed in 1965 and stuck together through 1974, achieving international success along the way.

Another highlight for Bekky and ‘The Pebbles” came in 1967 when the group played at the Olympics in Paris as a supporting act for Jimi Hendrix.

The next year, they had their first hit, “Get Around.”

Bekky, whose real name was Fred Beekmans, was also reported in 2021 to be battling Alzheimer’s disease. He also reportedly had heart and kidney issues.

RICK BUCKLER

Rick Buckler, the drummer for the popular group The Jam, died on Feb. 17.

He was 69.

“Rick Buckler, best known as the legendary drummer of the jam, passed away peacefully on Monday evening in Woking after a short illness with family by his side,” a statement from his publicist said.

“Rick was a loving husband, father and grandfather and was a devoted friend to many, who will be greatly missed,” it added.

BEEJ CHANEY

Beej Chaney, described as a punk rock hero in Minnesota, died on Jan. 5.

Chaney, 68, who played with the band The Suburbs, was reportedly found after he went for a swim in the Pacific Ocean.

The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported that Chaney had a daily routine of swimming in the ocean, and that he went out around sunset. Friends and bandmates reportedly found his body on Hermosa Beach later that night.

The newspaper said that the Hermosa Beach Police Department said crews responded to a call at around 7 p.m. after Chaney’s body washed up. His death was ruled accidental. The Suburbs drummer Hugo Klaers told the newspaper that Chaney survived a near-death experience during a swim last year. On that occasion, he said, the musician collapsed on the beach.

“His body temperature had dropped to like 75 degrees,” Klaer told the newspaper. “They put him in an induced coma for three days and he actually came back, and the doctor called him ‘her little miracle’ because she said most people when their body temperature gets this low don’t survive. They told him he couldn’t swim for a month and any future swimming he had to wear a wet suit because he was only wearing swim trunks when he was swimming in the ocean.”

Chaney helped found The Suburbs in 1977 and played with the band through 2014.

KARL COCHRAN

If Karl Cochran’s name doesn’t ring a bell it probably should.

At least, that is, if you are a rock fan.

And that is because the 61-year-old was a talented guitarist and songwriter who had a long and legendary career, working with the likes of KISS star Ace Frehley as well as playing with The Eric Singer project.

Cochran was killed on Feb. 19, according to reports, when a car driven by 90-year-old mother, Anna Cochran, backed across their front yard in New Jersey and struck a tree. He was ejected from the vehicle.

Cochran was reportedly flown to Robert Wood Johnson University in New Brunswick where he later died.

There was no report regarding the status of his mother.

“The tragic news of Karl Cochran’s death in a car accident was gut wrenching to hear,” former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick wrote on X. “Karl was a fantastic musician who I worked with in a band called ESP (Eric Singer Project). He was a gentle giant who was taken too soon from all of us. The stroke that affected him many years ago too nothing away of his spirit, love and humanity. It made him even more special in his own unique way. As a frequent guest on the Kiss Kruise everyone that met him was touched with his smile and his special passion of life. My condolences to his family and his wonderful fiancé’ Ger Fasano who was his loving partner. RIP.”

The main KISS account on X also posted about Cochran’s death.

“Karl was a vocalist and guitarist extraordinaire who suffered a massive stroke but never stopped fighting to make his way back,” the post read. “He was loved by our fans worldwide through his appearances worldwide and was a constant inspiration as our guest on our KISS Kruises. Our deep condolences to Geri and family.”

JACKIE FARRY

Jackie Farry, who hosted an MTV show and rubbed shoulders with some legendary rock acts, died on Jan. 12.

She was 58.

Variety reported that she died from a lung disease. The site also noted that she had battled cancer for more than 20 years.

The site said that Farry “worked closely with Nirvana,” and was the first nanny for Frances Bean Cobain. She later served as a tour manager for Elliott Smith, the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion and the Lemonheads, according to Variety.

The site also said that, following Kurt Cobain’s death in 1994, Farry hosted the MTV show “Super Rock,” although it described that as “short-lived.”

She reportedly got into the industry as a receptionist for Homestead Records.

“Jackie’s love for music was matched only by her sharp wit, humor, and magnetic personality,” Janet Billig Rich, a friend and associate, told the Hollywood Reporter. “She was a beacon for friends and strangers alike, drawing people with infectious energy.”

PETER FORREST

Peter Forrest, better known as former frontman P. Fluid for rock band 24-7 Spyz, has died.

He was 64.

Loudwire.com reported that Forrest was found beaten to death on Jan. 13 in New York City. Forrest had reportedly been driving an ambulette and after he failed to make pickups and stopped answering his phone they became concerned. That’s when a co-worker used GPS to track his vehicle, and when they found him, per the report, the front window had been broken and Forrest was lying face down in the back of the ambulette.

Police determined he was beaten to death.

Loudwire said that 24-7 Spyz had its “greatest success in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s delivering a brand of funk metal representative of the difference influences the band picked up in their native Bronx.”

Forrest was the frontman for the three of the band’s eight studio albums.

He left the band for four years, per Loudwire, leaving following a 1990 tour alongside Jane’s Addiction and returning in 1994.

“He brought a sense of reckless abandon, but in a fun way,” 24-7 Spyz guitarist Jimi Hazel told Rolling Stone. “He was climbing on the rafters. When he wanted to sing, he could sing. But he got more into screaming and shouting.”

Loudwire reported that Forrest had a couple of other projects, including forming the band BlkVampires with which he split in 2019.

WAYNE ‘DOOBIE’ FABRA

Wayne “Doobie” Fabra, a founding member and drummer for the metal band Graveyard Rodeo, has died.

He was 58.

Blabbermouth.com reported that Fabra died on Jan. 15.

The site called Graveyard Rodeo a “groundbreaking” band and “pioneers of the New Orleans underground scene fusing metal, hardcore and doom which would later spawn the ‘sludge’ sound that New Orleans has become famous for.”

Blabbermouth noted that Graveyard Rodeo’s roots date back to 1980, but the band’s big break came in 1993 when it signed with Century media and released its debut album, “Sowing Discord In The Haunts of Man.” The site said the band then went on a European Tour and was “very well received.” However, the group broke up when it returned home. A second version of the band produced a second album, per Blabbermouth, but broke up for good after that.

“I just saw the devastating news — and I’m not okay upon learning it,” Kyle Thomas of the New Orleans metal band Exhorder wrote on social media. “Rest well, Wayne ‘Doobie’ Fabra. A friend and mentor to me when I was a fifteen year old kid just learning about punk and hardcore.”

Thomas wrote that Graveyard Rode was “bridging punk and metal on the New Orleans scene before Exhorder was even a thought.”

“We played many shows together, had lots of fun and laughs as well over the years,” he added. “Never did this Goliath of a man make me feel any smaller than he was – and he was SCARY looking. He’d be proud to hear me say that. A vicious drummer that hit hard and sang as well, he helped shape this New Orleans scene. If you don’t know much about him or Graveyard Rodeo, start doing your homework now – it’s worth it.

“I love ya big guy. May you rot in peace…”

MARIANNE FAITHFULL

Marianne Faithfull, a popular singer and actress, died on Jan. 30.

She was 78.

Faithfull was best known for her version of the Rolling Stones’ “As Tears Go By,” which was a top 10 hit in the United Kingdom back in 1964.

She was known for collaborations with the likes of Metallica, and she also dated Mick Jagger in the 1960s

“It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of the singer, songwriter and actress Marianne Faithfull,” a spokesperson said in a statement, according to the BBC and the Guardian. “Marianne passed away peacefully in London today, in the company of her loving family. She will be dearly missed.”

Read more about Faitfhull here.

SNOWY FLEET

Snowy Fleet, the drummer for the legendary rock group The Easybeats, died on Feb. 17, according to multiple reports.

He was 79. No cause of death was reported.

Fleet was a co-founder of the band along with Stevie Wright, George Young, Harry Vanda and Dick Diamonde. Vanda is now the last remaining founding member who is still alive.

The band formed in Sydney in 1964.

All of the band’s members were natives of England who moved to Australia and met there. The group then relocated back to London in 1966 and recorded its biggest hit, “Friday on My Mind,” which rose to sixth on the British charts and helped the band find international success.

The Easybeats had four albums with the last of those coming in 1967.

Fleet’s full name was Gordon Henry Fleet. Snowy was his nickname.

BARRY GOLDBERG

Barry Goldberg, a legendary blues and rock keyboardist, died on Jan. 22.

He was 83.

Rolling Stone reported that he died on Wednesday after battling non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

PEOPLE Magazine reported that Goldberg collected performing, writing and producing credits across his career with artists such as Rod Stewart, Leonard Cohen, the Ramones, Stephen Stills and Steve Miller.

“Barry Goldberg was a great pianist, a brilliant songwriter and a lifetime friend,” the Steve Miller Band X account posted. “We played together in Chicago in 1965 as the Goldberg-Miller blues Band and he was an important part of the blues revival in Chicago in the mid ‘60s. R.IP. Barry, yours was a great musical journey.”

He also famously played the keyboard with the Paul Butterfield Blues Band which backed Bob Dylan during the Newport Folk Festival in 1965.

Goldberg was also a founding member of the band Electric Flag.

Rolling Stone reported that Goldberg began visiting nightclubs as a teenager and artists such as Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Buddy Guy and Otis Rush became mentors to him.

Goldberg was also the nephew of former Supreme Court Justice Arthur Goldberg.

BRUCE HOWE

Bruce Howe, a legendary rock bassist in the 1970s band Fraternity, died on Jan. 29, according to multiple reports.

He was 77.

Howe reportedly died after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Howe was in Fraternity along with Jimmy Barnes and AC/DC legend Bon Scott. Barnes wrote about Howe’s death on social media.

“My dear friend Bruce Howe has passed away after a battle with cancer,” Barnes wrote. “Bruce was the first person I rang when I went solo. He played bass with my band and helped guide me through the early years of my career. He will be sadly missed. RIP, you were the most ferocious bass player I’ve ever heard.”

Howe helped found Fraternity in 1970 and had a five-year run before it disbanded. Along the way, the band rose to the top of the charts in Australia.

Music promoter Victor Marshall praised Howe for his “crucial role” in changing the musical landscape in Australia.

GARTH HUDSON

Garth Hudson, the last living member of The Band, died on Jan. 21.

He was 87.

The Toronto Star reported that Hudson died in his sleep in a nursing home in Woodstock, New York.

He was known for playing a handful of different instruments for the group including the accordion, keyboard and saxophone.

“Today, we say goodbye to Garth ‘Honey Boy’ Hudson, the last living original member of The Band,” the group’s X account said in a statement. “A musical genius and cornerstone of the group’s timeless sound, Garth once said, ‘I found some true enjoyment in helping people get to the bottom of their feelings.’

“Through his music, he did just that – helping us all feel more deeply and connect to something greater,” he continued. “Rest easy, Garth.”

The Band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994 and the Hall also acknowledged Hudson’s death with a long post on X calling him a “master of the organ, piano, accordion and saxophone.”

“Garth Hudson was a key architect of the sound of (The Band), one of the most influential rock groups of all time,” the Hall’s statement read. “With the classically trained Hudson contributing unique sounds and textures, The Band became the embodiment of what is now called Americana music, synthesizing country, R&B, early rock & roll, and folk music while thematically fusing the past with the present. The Band’s impact on the music that came after them is immeasurable.

“Following the break-up of the group, Hudson went on to become an in-demand session musician, recording with numerous artists including Hall of Famers Elton John, Van Morrison, and Tom Petty.”

BRIAN JAMES

Legendary punk rocker Brian James died on March 6.

He was 70.

A post announcing his death was shared to his Facebook page.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the death of one of the true pioneers of music, guitarist, songwriter, and true gentleman, Brian James,” the post read.

It then ran down his accolades as a musician before noting that, “With his wife Minna, son Charlie, and daughter-in-law Alicia by his side, Brian passed peacefully on Thursday 6th March 2025.”

James was best known as a founding member of the Damned and he was also a member of the Lords of the New Church.

He began his career in 1974 and was active up until this year.

His best success in the United States came as a member of the Lords of the New Church, according to Parade Magazine, as the band put out the 1982 hit “Open Your Eyes.”

DAVE JERDEN

Dave Jerden, a record producer, audio engineer and mixer, who worked with some of the most popular rock bands of the 1990s died on Feb. 5.

He was 75.

The list of bands Jerden worked with included the likes of The Rolling Stones, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jane’s Addiction, Alice in Chains, The Offspring, Anthrax, Meat Puppets, Spinal Tap, Fishbone and Social Distortion.

DAVID JOHANSEN

Just more than a week after he posted a video thanking fans for their support, legendary rocker David Johansen died on Feb. 28.

A family spokesman told The Associated Press that Johansen, who was battling stage 4 cancer and a brain tumor, died at home on Friday.

He was 75.

“Hello everybody. I just wanted to thank you all for giving us a big boost here with our fundraising campaign, I guess you would call it,” Johansen said from his bed in a video shared in late February. “I’ve never asked for help in my life and lately Mara’s been teaching me the beauty of, when your chips are down, asking for help. That’s what I’m doing and it seems to be working out really marvelously.”

Johansen’s daughter, Leah Hennessey, first alerted fans recently to how serious the 75-year-old’s situation is when she started the Sweet Relief page to raise money for his care.

“David has been in intensive treatment for Stage 4 cancer for most of the past decade,” she wrote. “Five years ago at the beginning of the pandemic we discovered that David’s cancer had progressed and he had a brain tumor. There have been complications ever since.”

Hennessey said her father and mother are “generally very private people,” so he never revealed his diagnosis.

“But we feel compelled to share this now, due to the increasingly severe financial burden the family is facing,” she wrote. “To make matters worse, the day after Thanksgiving David fell down the stairs and broke his back in two places.”

She said the Johansen had been bedridden since the surgery, and his “illness has progressed exponentially. She said her mother was caring for him around the clock.

Billboard.com said that Johansen “has long been a beloved figure on the New York scene, beginning with his time as the lead singer and provocateur of the gender-bending New York Dolls.” It noted that he also hosted a show on SiriusXM and also had several acting credits to his name.

OWEN LEAHY

Owen Leahy might not have been a household name, yet, but if you Google his name you will see the stories.

A report on PopCulture.com referred to Leahy, a founding member and bassist for This Is Pointless, as an “undeniable talent.” Sadly, that same report featured Leahy because, it said, he “passed away suddenly,” on Jan. 6.

He was just 28.

Leahy was a native of Winchester, Massachusetts.

“Owen was so many things to so many people,” his obituary read. “To his family, he was a loving son, a protective brother, and the family prankster. To his DIY Emo Band, This Is Pointless, he was a co-founder and a bass player.

“In the community of recovery, Owen was a mentor, a support system, and dedicated to helping those looking to change their lives for the better,” it continued. “Owen was proud to have celebrated 10 years of his own sobriety. If you had the privilege of becoming a friend of Owen’s, you were a friend for life. He would do anything for those he loved and those in need.”

A GoFundMe launched to help pay for his funeral and other expenses has raised nearly $30,000.

FREDRIK LINDGREN

Pioneering metal guitarist Fredrik Lindgren has died.

He was 53.

Lindgren was reportedly the original guitarist for legendary Swedish death metal band Unleashed, and also played with Terra Firma and Harms Way.

Unleashed shared the news of his death, which actually occurred on Jan. 5, on Facebook.

Warriors!!!” the post read. “Sadly, the news have reached us that Fredrik Lindgren, lead guitar of Unleashed 1989-1995 has passed away. Fredrik was a huge part of the early history of the band. For this we are eternally grateful. See you in Valhalla brother!”

Lindgren was credited with co-founding Unleashed in 1989 and playing on the group’s first four albums. He left the band in 1995 and joined Terra Firma. Consequence reported that he was with that band through 2003.

The site said he then went on to form Harms Way, which it described as a stoner metal band, and it said he then formed another band, Atlantic Tide.

“In loving memory of Freddie Eugene 1971-2025,” Terra Firma singer Lord Chritus wrote on Facebook. Numbed by the news of your passing. Fredrik my old friend. Hard to put emotions into words. Just hope you have found your peace as you deserve no less. You will not only be missed by me but many, I know this much. Thank you for being a part of my life and colored it with your friendship and musicianship both embodied in what was Terra Firma. We had some really great timeds and that will never change. All my love.”

SAL MAIDA

Sal Maida died on Feb. 1.

Google his name and you will find a Vice headline from back in 2017 that calls him “one of the coolest 70s rock stars you’ve never heard of.”

And maybe he wasn’t a household name, but when news of his death broke Tuesday it certainly seemed like enough folks appreciated his body of work. His wife, Lisa Burns-Maida, said that the bassist died Saturday in New York from complications following a fall back in December.

Maida was a native of New York who played in bands Roxy Music, Sparks and Milk ‘N’ Cookies.

The Hollywood Reporter said that Maida, who was a towering figure at 6-foot-6, also played with the likes of Ronnie Spector and The Runaways.

The site said that Maida hosted a radio show, “Spin Cycle,” in recent years and a memoir in 2017 entitled “Four Strings, Phony Proof and 300 45s.”

His publisher for that memoir, HoZac, released a statement on his death.

“Sal had such an incredible life that it just had to be made into a book, and we’re so glad we got to not only make that happen several times but also got to meet him in person, as he was like the cool older brother we’d never had.” the statement on Facebook read.

JOEY MOLLAND

Joey Molland, the last surviving member of the original lineup of Badfinger, died on March 1.

He was 77.

The guitarist reportedly died Saturday after battling “multiple health issues.”

“Well, the day we never wanted to see has arrived,” Badfinger shared in a statement on its Facebook page. “Joey (Joseph Charles) Molland passed away last night, surrounded by Mary, his two sons, and other family members at 11:39 CST.”

Parade Magazine noted that Molland’s girlfriend, identified as “Mary,” started a GoFundMe for him last November.

“Joey was vaguely ill throughout the fall, and then in early December acquired a very bad bacterial infection due to his diabetes,” an update on that page read. “The infection caused septicemia and traveled through his body, causing harm in multiple critical organs and bones. His recovery has been slow and arduous, including several surgeries and procedures.”

Molland joined Badfinger in 1969 and performed with the band across “several decades,” according to Parade.

He continued to perform up until 2024.

JAMIE MUIR

Jamie Muir, the former drummer for King Crimson, died on Feb. 17.

He was 82.

Muir joined the band in in 1982. A year later, however, he left the band and joined a monastery.

TEDDY OSEI

Teddy Osei, the singer and founding member for the rock band Osibisa, has died.

He was 88.

The band announced his death on its Facebook page on January 14.

“The members of Osibisa, and the band’s management, are deeply saddened by the death today of their dear client and friend Francis ‘Teddy’ Osei,” the statement read. “Known the world over as the leader and founder of Osibisa, the groundbreaking Afro-Rock band, he was a talented and passionate, man, musician, and mentor to many.

“A talented saxophone player, drummer and vocalist, Teddy found success but also fulfilment with his bands, most notably Osibisa,” the statement continued. “His was an important voice in music and culture, and he will be missed, but never forgotten.”

The band shared several more tributes to Osei on its page.

LouderSound.com wrote that the “Ghanaian-born Osei was instrumental in introducing white music audiences to Africa’s infectious Afro-beat sound, finding favor with progressive rock fans for their first few albums in the early 1970s.”

Osibisa began performing in 1969 and is still active today.

It has released 24 albums with the last — “New Dawn” — coming in 2021.

WAYNE OSMOND

Wayne Osmond, the second oldest in the Osmond Brothers band, died on Jan. 1.

He was 73.

His daughter, Amy Cook, shared the news on Facebook.

“Wayne Osmond, beloved husband and father, passed away peacefully last night surrounded by his loving wife and five children,” Cook wrote. “His legacy of faith, music, love and laughter have influence the lives of many people around the world. He would want everyone to know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true, that families are forever, and that banana splits are the best dessert. We love him and will miss him dearly.”

Cook wrote that she was “having a hard time expressing the depth of my sadness that I won’t have my ‘twin’ in my life for a while.”

“But I am so grateful for the time I was able to spend with him,” she continued. “I am grateful for the incredible memories. I am grateful for his strength, loyalty to our family, incredible talent and energy, and most of all, his love. I look forward to the day when I can see him again on the other side.

“I love you, Dad.”

His younger brother, Donny Osmond, posted about his death on Instagram and said that he “passed away peacefully last night from a stroke.”

“Wayne brought so much light, laughter, and love to everyone who knew him, especially me,” he wrote. “He was the ultimate optimist and was loved by everyone.”

The Los Angeles Times noted that Osmond also had surgery for a brain tumor in 1997 and had another stroke in 2012 “that left him unable to play guitar.”

Osmond was a native of Ogden, Utah.

Along with his brothers Alan, Merrill and Jay, he started The Osmond Brothers. They were considered teen idols.

COBURN PHARR

Coburn Pharr, the former frontman for popular metal band Annihilator, died on Feb. 25.

He was 62.

Annihilator guitarist Jeff Waters shared a statement on the band’s Facebook page.

“Coburn Pharr has passed away,” he wrote. “I won’t say anything about the details, as that is the family’s business, but I wanted to post this before any misinformation surfaces on the internet.

“Coburn was the singer on our best and biggest record,” Waters added. “He had the most unique voice of all our singers, along with Randy Rampage (he also passed in 2018). I had very little contact with Coburn over the years but was able to get him to play a few songs with us on the 70,000 Tons Of Metal cruise, 2014ish. In 2018, I had Coburn over to our house in the UK for a really amazing visit. He had lost his Mom and sister and was eager to hang out and talk music, life and reconnect.”

Waters shared two pictures they took during that visit.

“We had been discussing him coming back for some festival shows and even a tour,” he added. “However, he was having struggles with some personal things, demons, etc… and it was clear that he would not be able to do any of it.

Blabbermouth.net noted that Pharr sang on Annihilator’s critically acclaimed and best-selling 1990 release “Never, Neverland.” The site said he last reunited with the band in 2015.

MIKE RATLEDGE

Mike Ratledge, a founding member of Soft Machine, died on Feb. 5.

He was 81.

Ratledge reportedly died following a short illness.

“Incredibly sad news that my great friend and Soft Machine legend passed away two hours ago after a brief illness,” former Soft Machine guitarist John Etheridge wrote on Facebook. “Mike was the backbone of Soft Machine in early years and a man with an absolutely incisive mind — a marvelous composer and keyboardist. A real renaissance man — so talented, cultured, charming — and a wonderful companion.

“We used to meet every few weeks for over 40 years — a treat for me,” he continued. “What a loss to all of us and his sister and wonderful girlfriend Elena, who were with him at the end.”

Ratledge was with Soft Machine when it started in 1966 and was the last founding member to leave the band in 1976.

Louder called Soft Machine “pioneers of both progressive rock and jazz fusion.”

“Mike Ratledge was my favorite keyboard player by far, the man who left the live music business almost 5 decades ago, leaving an eternal legacy of a true legend,” MoonJune Records’ Leonardo Pavkovic wrote. “One of my favorite musicians of all time. And I was really looking forward to seeing him again.

“The world is a sad and weird place right now, and this adds to the general sadness, and I was curious to know by the man himself, what Mike would think about what is going on in the world,” he added. “he was one of the most knowledgeable, wise and read people I have ever met.”

AARON ROSSI

AAron Rossi, a popular metal and rock drummer, died on Jan. 27.

He was 44.

Rossi reportedly suffered a “sudden, severe heart attack.”

He was perhaps best known for his work with metal bands Ministry and Prong.

Louder.com noted that Rossi was called “The Beast,” and was inducted in to the Metal Hall of Fame as a member of Prong in 2020.

A statement posted to his Instagram this week said that he actually died back on January 27.

“It is with overwhelming sadness to share that on January 27, 2025, AAron John Rossi passed away from a sudden, severe heart attack,” the post read. “AAron was a force with his own gravitational pull. His powerful energy instantly captured you. If you saw him on stage, you were blown away by his immense power, speed and agility — and if you were lucky enough to know him in person, you were equally taken by his kindness, humor and humility.

“AAron leaving us so soon is beyond devastating, but we know that he would not want to be remembered that way” the post continued. “He made us laugh and told us stories like it was his job. We sincerely hope you will share some of your own stories of AAron in the comments.”

The statement noted the planned celebration of his life before closing.

“AAron’s talent on the drums and his ear for music was incomparable — and his sound will live on forever,” the statement read. “He will always be The Shredder, The Beast, The Big Dog. Rock in Peace, Aaron! We love and miss you!!!”

JEFFREY RUNNINGS

Jeffrey Runnings, the frontman for post-punk rock band For Against, died on March 3.

He was 61.

Runnings had reportedly had a long battle with cancer.

“We are devastated to hear that Jeff Runnings of Captured Tracks’ legendary post-punk reissue band For Against has passed away,” Captured Tracks posted on X. “Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.”

“Jeffery Runnings forever,” Independent Project Records posted. “Thank you Jeffrey, for all the beautiful music that you and your bandmates have brought forth into the world for us to immerse ourselves in. Know that you are loved, and that your music speaks deeply to many of us.”

Post-punk.com called Runnings “a beacon of bright light in the US post-punk scene, a passionate fan of music, a devoted husband, a caring friend, and a wonderful cat dad.”

For Against first formed in 1984, and Runnings joined the band a short-time later.

Post-punk.com said his “striking tenor and deep, melodic bass playing were among the driving forces of the band.”

He is survived by his husband, Sean Applegate.

BOB RUPE

Bob Rupe, the bassist for the popular 1990s alternative rock band Cracker, died on March 3.

He was 68.

Rupe was also known for his time playing with The Silos.

Cracker shared the news of his death on Instagram.

“It is with a heavy heart that we share the passing of Bob Rupe,” the statement on the band’s page read. “Bob was the charismatic and talented bassists for Cracker from roughly 1994 to 1999. Along with the late Charlie Quintana, he formed the rhythm section that powered Cracker’s theatre and shed tours at the peak of the band’s popularity. Bob also played bass guitar on many Cracker recordings, most notably the albums The Golden Age and Gentleman’s Blues.

“Although Bob was not a man of many words, he was known for his sharp and concise wit,” the statement continued. “He had a lot of drag racing and vintage muscle cars. Indeed, the Cracker fan club release ‘Bob’s Car’ features a photo of his beloved Super Bee on the cover. In addition to his work with Cracker, Bob was a founding member of The Silos and Gutterball. He also played with House of Freaks and Sparklehorse.”

The statement said that Rupe was a “staple of the 1990s central Virginia music scene,” and said that he “will be missed by his many peers.”

“Bob is survived by his mother, Carol; his brothers, Tom and Dan; and his sister, Kathy, along with two nephews and two nieces,” the statement read. “The cause of his death is unknown at this time.”

JOHN SYKES

John Sykes, a guitarist who played with both Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake, died on Jan. 20

He was 65.

The news was first announced on Sykes’ Facebook page.

“It is with great sorry we share that John Sykes has passed away after a hard-fought battle with cancer,” the post read. “He will be remembered by many as a man with exceptional musical talent but for those who didn’t know him personally, he was a thoughtful, kind, and charismatic man whose presence lit up the room.

“He certainly marched to the beat of his own drum and always pulled for the underdog,” the post continued. “In his final days, he spoke of his sincere love and gratitude for his fans who stuck by him through all these years. While the impact of his loss is profound and somber, we hope the light of his memory will extinguish the shadow of his absence.”

Sykes was a native of England, and per Billboard, began playing guitar as a teen. He began playing with the band, Tygers of Pan Tang, in 1980, and eventually got started with Whitesnake in 1984.

He also spent time with Thin Lizzy in the 1980s, and formed his own band, Blue Murder, too.

“Just heard the shocking news of John’s passing …” Whitesnake’s David Coverdale wrote. “My sincere condolences to his family, friends & fans.”

LARRY TAMBLYN

Larry Tamblyn, a founding member of the Standells, has died, according to reports.

He was 82.

His nephew, Dennis Tamblyn, announced his death on social media.

“My uncle Larry Tamblyn passed away today,” he wrote. “I have very fond memories of him and his family over the years. He lived an incredible life. He was in a band called the Standells, whose hit song ‘Dirty Water’ is still played to this day whenever the Red Sox or Bruins win a home game. They also played on an episode of The Munsters.”

The Standells were called a “pioneering garage rock group,” by Entertainment Weekly.

The group also had a post on its Facebook page.

“In life, we are given two dates,” it read. “Our start date and our end date. In the middle there is a dash. Judging from the overwhelming show of love and support to Larry’s memory and that of his family, Larry mad ethe very most of his dash. RIP Boss…”

Tamblyn, who was a singer for the band, also had a long list of acting credits, and his brother, Russ Tamblyn, is a famous actor, who has even earned an Oscar nomination.

RAGNE WAHLQUIST

Heavy metal legend Ragne Wahlquist has died.

Wahlquist, who was 69, actually died back on Jan. 7.

Wahlquist was described as the “Godfather of Swedish heavy metal,” by Blabbermouth.com.

The site said Wahlquist was the guitarist and vocalist for Heavy Load, which it said is widely regarded as the first Swedish heavy metal band and first Viking metal band in the world.

SVT reported that Wahlquist and his younger brother, Styrbjorn, were recording the band’s fifth album at the time of his death. It said the band intends to complete the project and to continue on with the band.

Blabbermouth said that Heavy Load is credited with starting the Swedish wave of heavy metal.

The band first began performing in 1976 and released its first studio album, “Full Speed at High Level” in 1978. They released three more albums with the last — “Riders of the Ancient Storm” — coming in 2023.

JESSE COLIN WOOD

Popular rock singer and songwriter Jesse Colin Young has died.

He was 83.

His publicist said he died in his home in Aiken, South Carolina on March 16.

Young was known for his time as the leader of the 1960s band, The Youngbloods, and for his solo career that followed. He performed for more than five decades, according to Ultimate Classic Rock.

He had an interesting life.

Young was born in New York City in 1941 as Perry Miller. He reportedly decided on the stage name of Jesse Colin young by taking from the names of outlaws Jesse James and Cole Young as well as Formula One team owner Colin Chapman.

He helped form The Youngbloods in 1965.

The band wrote and performed the song “Get Together,” in 1967, and the song became a favorite of the hippie era.

Young was diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2012 and retired from making music for a time, according to Ultimate Classic Rock. The site said he returned to the stage four years later, though, to play alongside his son and the duo released “Dreamers” in 2019.